Leeuw van Luzern in een bergwand nabij Luzern, Zwitserland 1857 - 1863

This photograph captures the Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland, a sculpture carved directly into a sandstone cliff. The photograph, though anonymous, testifies to the monument's powerful presence. The Lion Monument exemplifies subtractive sculpture, where the artist carves away material to reveal the final form. Its scale is impressive, and the stone itself conveys weight and permanence. To carve the sculpture directly into the cliff, the artist would have used tools such as chisels, hammers, and possibly even early pneumatic drills. The act of carving transforms inert material into something imbued with meaning. The rough texture of the surrounding rock contrasts with the smooth lines of the lion, emphasizing the tension between nature and human intervention. The monument commemorates the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution, so its impact would have only been achieved through the laborious carving process involved in the production of this artwork. This image challenges traditional art historical distinctions, bringing sculpture, craft, and photography into dialogue, reminding us that all art is rooted in material and the labor of making.